LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 10: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers falls to the ground during the first quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal against the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena on December 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

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Cole Sullivan

By Cole Sullivan

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The Los Angeles Lakers have been in a bit of a rut over the past week-plus, and despite still sitting at 19–10 overall, head coach JJ Redick made his frustration clear following their blowout loss to the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day.

Redick said postgame that he would not tolerate these issues for the remaining 53 games of the regular season, pointing primarily to defensive lapses as the team’s biggest problem.

“Saturday’s practice... is going to be uncomfortable. The meeting's going to be uncomfortable." Redick said after the game. "I'm not doing another 53 games like this."

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More news: Lakers Make Critical Decision on Austin Reaves vs. Rockets

Things didn’t get any better following Friday’s injury update on star guard Austin Reaves, who exited the Rockets game with a calf injury and did not return. Reaves has been playing at an All-Star level this season, averaging 26.6 points, 6.3 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per game.

Reaves had returned for the previous two games after missing a brief time earlier, but he aggravated the injury against Houston. The former undrafted free agent has since been diagnosed with a Grade 2 gastrocnemius (calf) strain and is expected to be sidelined for approximately four weeks.

Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers falls to the ground during the first quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal against the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena on December 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

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Reaves has been the Lakers’ second-best player this season behind Luka Doncic, even when LeBron James has been available. Now, Los Angeles will have to fill a significant void over the next month or so as it navigates life without a primary ball handler and scorer.

The Lakers return to action Sunday against the Sacramento Kings, beginning a four-game homestand. After facing the Kings, they will host the Detroit Pistons and then the Memphis Grizzlies twice before heading back on the road.

More news: Lakers Receive New Update on Luka Doncic’s Christmas Status vs Rockets

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